Rachel Leviss Feels ‘Empowered’ 1 Year After Scandoval, Can See ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’ (Exclusive)

Rachel “Raquel” Leviss is back in the spotlight nearly a year after finding herself at the center of a years-long reality TV scandal.

Former Vanderpump Rules The 29-year-old star spoke to PEOPLE at GLAUDI by Johana Hernandez at New York Fashion Week on Thursday about her decision to slowly ease back into public life after months of observation and self-care following the revelation that she and actor Tom Sandoval were dating.

Claudia Glaudi

“It was a very difficult time for me,” says Leviss, reflecting on the height of the drama surrounding Scandoval. “I felt like I wasn’t going to get through it at times, so I’m so happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel and finally reintegrate into the real world.”

The former beauty pageant queen adds: “I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve worked really hard to put my mental health first and really put myself first.”

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Rachel Leviss at the GLAUDI by Johana Hernandez NYFW fashion show.

Claudia Glaudi

In recent weeks, Leviss even felt like she had a chance to get her voice back.

“I feel empowered,” says the Rachel goes rogue podcast host. “I feel like I’ve overcome a lot of difficulties in the past year and I’ve finally started living life again, so it feels really good.”

Rachel Leviss explains why she’s ‘back in the drama’ of her ex Vanderpump Rules Friends

Rachel Leviss at the GLAUDI by Johana Hernandez NYFW fashion show.

Claudia Glaudi

Leviss also offered a tease of what she hopes to explore Rachel goes roguesaying she hopes to “go deeper into love bombing” and further explore how her pageant past helped build her “confidence and self-esteem.”

She also explains that she is willing to speak candidly about her experience at The Meadows, a treatment center in Arizona where she underwent trauma therapy after VPRBrutal filming of the 10th season reunion.

Leviss says she hopes to share “more of everything I learned at The Meadows and kind of give it to viewers and listeners because I learned such valuable information.”

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Rachel Leviss at the GLAUDI by Johana Hernandez NYFW fashion show.

Claudia Glaudi

Despite admitting that she would “maybe, possibly” be “open” to bringing back her former cast members or production team members to her podcast, she clarifies that that’s not necessarily her focus at the moment.

She says, “I don’t know if we’re really at the point where we’re communicating with each other, but I’m hoping to focus more on lifestyle and other things I’m doing with my life now that I’m not involved Vanderpump Rules and make that transition after we cover all our bases.”

“I feel like I have so much to say and so many stories to tell, so we’ll get there eventually,” she affirms.

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Rachel Leviss at the GLAUDI by Johana Hernandez NYFW fashion show.

Claudia Glaudi

Leviss announced her podcast last November, presenting it as a place where she can show that she has “become resilient and committed to personal growth” amid “a tumultuous year of intense public scrutiny.”

Since launching the podcast in January, she’s been open about everything from her commitment to vowing not to date for a year to realizing she still owes Sandoval’s ex Ariana Madix an apology.

As for why she’s still somewhat involved with the drama that shaped much of 2023, she explained, “My purpose for it is not necessarily to just be in the drama… I want to create a healthier environment for people who watch reality TV. I want to be a part of creating ethical reality television. And I think part of that is educating the people who watch those shows about what we’re actually consuming.”

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Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesdays at 8:00 PM ET on Bravo.

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Source: HIS Education